Rocky Rollout Of ACA Benefits For Oregon’s Developmentally Disabled

Many developmentally disabled Oregonians qualify for more money to cover services at home under the Affordable Care Act, but families say there aren't enough providers to go around. Meanwhile, consumer advocacy groups in North Carolina look for people who qualify for Obamacare and don't know it. And Connecticut reports a 55 percent increase in the size of its individual insurance market.

The Oregonian: Affordable Care Act Benefits Soar For Oregonians With Developmental Disabilities, Potentially Costing State Millions
But while some families are rejoicing [about the law's increased benefits], others worry that a change in how services are calculated and funded could cost the state millions of dollars. Under a provision of the Affordable Care Act, many of the 9,000 Oregonians with developmental disabilities who live at home are now eligible for three times or more in the amount of money to cover services – or tens of thousands of dollars each. In addition, the rollout has been rocky, requiring wholesale changes to the system without disrupting services (Zheng, 8/15).

Charlotte Observer: Fired, Freed Or Married? Health Insurance Aid Might Help
In bridal shops and jails, moms’ groups and charities, the search is on for people who qualify for low-cost health insurance and don’t know it. When open enrollment for subsidized insurance ended this spring, the spotlight on the Affordable Care Act dimmed. But advocates in Charlotte and around the country are working to let people know that life changes that range from losing a job to saying “I do” can trigger an opportunity to sign up before the 2015 enrollment period starts in November. “A lot of these folks aren’t looking for this information because they don’t know it’s there,” said Mark Van Arnam, who is leading Charlotte-area efforts for the nonprofit Enroll America (Helms, 8/17).

The CT Mirror: CT’s Individual Insurance Market Grew 55 Percent Under Obamacare
The number of Connecticut residents covered by health insurance purchased through the state’s individual market rose by nearly 60,000 since last year, a 55 percent increase since the implementation of major provisions of Obamacare, according to figures released by the Connecticut Insurance Department. The data also show that more than half the people who bought their own health insurance last year have maintained their old policies or other plans purchased late in 2013. But more than 50,000 of them won’t be able to keep their health plans beyond this year, potentially setting up a repeat of last fall’s turmoil and frustration among people whose policies were discontinued (Becker, 8/18).

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.